Proposal Recommendation
Executive Summary
Over the last decade, our school district has done an excellent job in keeping up with the latest in all of technological trends, accelerating the knowledge and computer skills of our students. Such knowledge and computer skills have afforded many of our schools with high rankings, as is compared to our closest counterparts. We have been known to set a trend that is not always the most popular. Yet in spite of such lack of popularity, we are able to account in a compensatory manner. For example, our choices have always tended to prove to be the most effective choices out there. Such stated tools of technology have thereby increased the efficacy of our teachers, counselors, interventionists, and even our school administrators. This is especially true as it pertains to the vast scope of technology.
As a matter of fact, the great level of efficiency which we have been able to achieve is not merely limited to the devices that we use on a daily basis. However, focusing on the academic skills that our students attain, the manifestation of high test scores that we have witnessed, and the precedence of high percentages of college graduates that are produced from our school district. It is indeed in our best interest to optimize their technological options as much as and as best as is possible. Preparation and quality are key to the success of any organization, as is the excellence of the stated qualities within the product or products. Thus, it is our uninhibited goal to address and overcome the obstacles that many of our students and faculty have faced in using our current product line of technological devices.
It has been awe-inspiring for me to see our school district’s IT Director as he continues to aid in fostering the level of excellence that our schools have been experiencing over a period of several years. Thus, this proposal seeks to recommend a provisional change in the technology devices that we have provided to our students thus far. In doing so, I would like to compare Microsoft products to Apple products. I propose while in doing so, changing all technological devices from Apple to Microsoft. Such changes I wish to include are in the areas of: laptops, desktops, tablets, and any other tools that are used for study and instruction. The better the quality of study and instruction, the better the learning experience. Ultimately, more information is learned and retained by the students---which helps them tremendously in their academic, emotional, social, spiritual, and physical growth! The school district itself would be blessed as well. It’s reputation would elevate as a result, as well as that of every faculty member within it---especially each and every single person involved in the administration, organization, implementation, and re-implementation of such a proposal. What a difference this could make! Can you just see it? Our legacy and memory would grow and soar to the skies, even more than it does now! Do we not always want to seek for improvement and growth in every area, as well as in our service and quality of excellence to others? We are molding and forming the next generation of leaders, assistants, laborers, Presidents, agents, policemen, etc. I propose an opportunity which I believe is a pivotal step in the right direction. What better time is there to act than now?
Our school district’s Information Technology (IT) Department is pleased to submit this proposal to the board for product changes, in order to upgrade and support the overall faculty and staff of the entire system of “Our School District’s” students, faculty, and staff in achieving their academic goals. In doing so, the IT department hopes to accelerate student performance using more cost-effective and user-friendly devices that will address backup issues. Also addressed will be the previously stated accommodation of access through various smart phones and wireless devices that students and faculty attain, privately. Last but not least, also included for implementation proposal is the limiting the purchasing options of users.
The training and technical support for the use of these new devices will be able to support current security and overall intranet and internet platforms. What a cut down this is indeed, but a very necessary one if we wish to cut costs within the budget of the entire district! Imagine how much electricity, Wi-Fi and internet, water, and other utilities which the school district is responsible for paying off every month. What if we could reduce that amount drastically? And if we could, then my question is: why wouldn’t we? What is holding us back, then? In addition, it will support the new initiatives that were recently passed, providing the implementation of these new initiatives sooner than later. Making such a change as this, means meeting the following goals and objective:
Need #1: Improve the backup options. Less is better. Less quantity, more quality is what counts here.
Need #2: Provide an alternative product that can be used crossly with several other technological devices. Why not combine our resources and methods to more effectively consolidate here? The difference between possible and impossible is the very person who believes or does not believe that it can be done. You believe. We believe it too. Let’s work together on this more challenging aspect, and see just what can’t be done when we put our efforts and assets together. Now that’s the power of possible!
Need #3: Rapid training for staff on new system and intranet and internet platforms. The sooner we can get the ball rolling on this, so to speak, becomes the sooner in which we may train and cross train all willing and available staff and possible new volunteers from the outside. If some are not willing, we will persuade and influence them in this direction by implementing this knowledge and training into all that we do as a collective organization of members with one solid focus---and heading in one unified direction. Many will come to understand and flexibly adapt; others may not, and may leave. That is life. We have no total control of the outcome, but we can make the choice of stepping out in the direction and options which are placed in front of us at this very moment. You only live once, they say. Make it count. Tomorrow is not promised, nor is our very next breath. Together, we can be the change! Can you not just see it now? It could be glorious!
Discussion
The Opportunity. In preparation for the upcoming school year, we have an opportunity to provide an alternative, technological line of products that will fully maximize student and faculty access, in regards to their assignments, projects, resources, as well as their overall online, educational needs. This opportunity affords us the ability to address the issues that were previously raised at any time---by parents, faculty, staff, and the district’s controller. In doing so, we are thus able to provide solutions to our backup systems. Such solutions are those that will be able to cross other products, and doing so even with operating systems that are not limiting. Our current devices are: Apple’s, Mac desktops, laptops, iPads, iTunes, and other devices that contribute to meeting instructional needs. Our current somewhat limit our student and faculty members to use technology that they already use, have recently purchased, and are able to afford at home.
While Apple products are generally known to be somewhat more expensive than most out there, the opportunity to make such a change will allow “Our School District” to: attain some more savings, limit expenditures in materials, and reduce warranty and maintenance costs. Understanding that Apple products are not compatible with other products, especially when it comes to saving files in “the cloud”, rendering another option can potentially: reduce warranty and maintenance fees, optimize student access to “saved” files using additional backup options, and broaden compatible use of technology as students navigate between in-school instruction and online access to homework.
Goal #1: Change all technological devices from the Apple product line to the Microsoft product line. This goal includes replacing all desktops, laptops, tablets, and any other devices that contribute to class instruction or interventions. If we can all prohibit such Apple products within the classrooms, bathrooms, lunch halls (and prohibiting the presence and use of such label products from within each associated and relevant school building in general) as well, then this may take us one step ahead of the game too! It will help to move us all forward in the right direction and towards the same mindset, as well as to help rid confusion and mixing or misuse of technological products. We can all be of one product brand, and help to eliminate & reduce the confusion as well! If you see it fit to not be this extreme in the implementation of the change of device products, that I understand as well. This second part was merely a suggestion worth noting which I find may be deemed helpful in some cases and certain scenarios. We must also keep in constant mind that such a change, as well as all changes which we make as a school district, affect the larger population as a whole. Any implementation would affect the lives of not only administrative faculty members, but also those of the students, teachers, and parents/family members as a whole within each and every single school building in which such implemented changes were to take immediate effect and change.
Goal #2: Train all teachers and faculty on new operating system and devices within 6 weeks of school registration. Six weeks is a good time frame. It is short and sweet, as they say..quick, and to the point. Any additional time outside of and after this six week period may be beneficial in helping to retain the knowledge learned and to pass it onas well as in additional practice for the staff and faculty.
Goal #3: Integrate the new Intranet Online Instruction platform onto every issuable device.
Goal #4: Monitor test scores, progress reports, high school preparedness, and college readiness. Here comes the fun part! We would have more access, control, and overall usability and options with which we could do our work here as a school district; this gives us far greater creative control and access.which we only would have dreamed of a decade ago! The mere possibility of such rapid upward progress excites me. Does it do the same for me? Then it doesn’t need to stop there!
The Solution. The following is an outline of a clear proposal that is complete with the following recommendations:
Recommendation #1: Because of the highly limited compatibility with other devices with our current technological provisions, we recommend discontinuing our current use of the Apple product line
Recommendation #2: Because of the need to fulfill a technological device or group of devices that render a broader compatibility to other devices, we recommend replacing the current technological devices to the Microsoft product line, to replace all desktops, laptops, and tablets that are currently being used.
Recommendation #3: Because of the need of a new intranet platform, we recommend the purchase of all necessary Microsoft software that will not only support the new platform for online instructions, but also all necessary software needed to optimize the use of each device, fulfilling the needs of our students, faculty, and staff.
Our Proposal
the overall faculty and staff of the entire system of “Our School District’s” has a well-deserved reputation for students attaining a quality education. However, faced with challenges in technological compatibility, economic impacts to technological devices, and limitations that prevent optimized access in the student body due to current backup system, the overall faculty and staff of the entire system of “Our School District’s” faces the possibility of decreasing student registration due to parent and student perceptions of the district’s lack of accommodation to homework access and off-campus instruction.
We have developed solutions to help “Our School District” to stay ahead of parent and student satisfaction trends, increasing a more consistent and higher quality turning in assignments to teachers. the overall faculty and staff of the entire system of “Our School District’s” IT Department plans to implement a logistical solution that will focus on JIT (just-in-time) automation of the new intranet system and order management of replacement products taking a number of manual steps in a specified delivery process. The outlined solution will easily integrate with a wide range of off-campus technology solutions and will enable the overall faculty and staff of the entire system of “Our School District’s” students and faculty to fully realize the benefits of improved, homework productivity throughout the student body. Most importantly, training and on-going support for these solutions that will assure parents, students, faculty, and staff, providing quick access to apparent improvements in test scores, home-work quality and consistency, and technological compatibility to off-campus devices.
Execution Strategy
“Our School District’s” IT Department’s execution strategy is an incorporation of evidence-based methods, our highly qualified IT personnel, and an urgently responsive approach to deliverable management. The following describes our plan of implementation, including how the technological transition will be carried out, a quick and easy proposed timeline, and a rationalization for suggesting the evolution of implementing the use of new hardware and software by all students, faculty, and staff.
Technical Implementation Plan Approach. Right now, we are using Apple products which include Mac desktops in our computer labs and classrooms, laptops for our high school students and faculty’s instructional and slightly limited recreational use. Our middle school students and elementary students from 3rd to 5th grade, are provided with iPads and iPad mini’s, subsequently. Per the following figures to review our current devices.
Figure 1- Apple's iMac with 2 sizes as screen options.
Figure 2 - Apple's version of a desktop with retina display.
While Apple’s iMac is visually appealing and optionally functional, it’s optimized value occurs only when the user has other Apple products to enhance its multiple functions. While this is beneficial only to the sophisticated Apple user, it does not benefit to a large percentage to our student body, faculty, and staff. Many face issues with a lack of compatibility to the devices that are used in homes and various off-campus locations. Apple’s lack of provision for a CD ROM or USB ports or HDMI ports, are found to limit our ability to backup files have current or projected value. Because of their lack of provision in this area, the cost that is surmounted because of space purchases and increased RAM, we are replacing these devices with the Microsoft hardware and software. You should notice that Microsoft devices are made by a plethora of companies, providing a menu of cost-efficient options that Apple does not allow. Please see the following figures for a few of the latest versions of the Microsoft desktop made by a multifarious number of manufacturing companies.
Figure 3 - Microsoft Desktops comparison
The following showcases an introduction to the diversity of products that are showcased on the Microsoft website. When compared to Apple products, the functionality of systems is an exchange of one feature for another. But it important to reiterate the need for fully portable devices that can accommodate the home study of many homes who do not adapt to Apple products, which are only compatible to other Apple products. In addition to the backup options, iCloud is not nearly as cost-efficient to Microsoft’s OneDrive, even with it upcoming fees that will come with increased usage for specified amounts of space. Even when that occurs, a portable disk drive will be provided to students, faculty and staff as an optional backup system.
Figure 4 - An sample view of the proposed Microsoft line of products.
The following is a side-by-side comparison of Apple & Microsoft laptops and tablets.
Figure 5 - Apple laptops that include the MacBook, the MacBook Pro, and the MacBook Air.
Figure 6 - Microsoft's Surface Pro line of tablets which include a stylus, a touchscreen, and functions as a full laptop, unlike the following figures of the iPad line.
Figure 7 - The sleek display of the iPad Pro. While it benefits the sophisticated user, it does not fit the needs of many households in our district.
The End Matter
“Our School District’s” Information Technology Department has outlined this proposal for board review. Our purpose and intent is to provide technological options to our students, faculty, and staff in achieving their academic goals. We believe that, in doing so, the IT department will implement new computer access that will accelerate student performance using more cost-effective, user-friendly devices that will address backup issues; the accommodation of access through various smart phones and wireless devices that students and faculty attain, privately; and limiting the purchasing options of users. Implementing these changes means addressing the following issues, goals, and making the following recommendations:
Needs.
Need #1: Improve the backup options
Need #2: Provide an alternative product that can be used crossly with several other technological devices
Need #3: Rapid training for staff on new system and intranet and internet platforms
Goals.
Goal #1: Change all technological devices from the Apple product line to the Microsoft product line, replacing all desktops, laptops, tablets, and any other devices that contribute to class instruction or interventions.
Goal #2: Train all teachers and faculty on new operating system and devices within 6 weeks of school registration
Goal #3: Integrate the new Intranet Online Instruction platform onto every issuable device
Goal #4: Monitor test scores, progress reports, high school preparedness, and college readiness.
Recommendations.
Recommendation #1: Because of the highly limited compatibility with other devices with our current technological provisions, we recommend discontinuing our current use of the Apple product line
Recommendation #2: Because of the need to fulfill a technological device or group of devices that render a broader compatibility to other devices, we recommend replacing the current technological devices to the Microsoft product line, to replace all desktops, laptops, and tablets that are currently being used.
Recommendation #3: Because of the need of a new intranet platform, we recommend the purchase of all necessary Microsoft software that will not only support the new platform for online instructions, but also all necessary software needed to optimize the use of each device, fulfilling the needs of our students, faculty, and staff.
Conclusion. We look forward to working with the overall faculty and staff of the entire system of “Our School District’s” while supporting your efforts to improve your test scores, homework quality and consistency, and progress reports. We feel excited and extremely confident that we can meet the foreseeable implementation challenges forthcoming. Our highly qualified personnel is ready to provide all of the upcoming support and training necessary in order to build confidence in every student’s ability to perform at their optimal level, from a technological standpoint.
For any questions regarding this proposal, feel free to contact Student First Name Last Name at your convenience via email or via phone. Please see the contact information below. We hope to be in touch with you next week discuss our next steps, financial resources, and concrete decisions on specific devices to purchase, arranging a follow-up conversation on the overall proposal.
Thank you for your consideration,
Bibliography
Bhalla, Jyoti. "Computer Use by School Teachers in Teaching-learning Process." Journal of Education and Training Studies 1.2 (2013): 174-185. journal article. July 2016. <http://jets.redfame.com>.
Griffey, Jason. "The Rise of the Tablet." publication. 2012. July 2016. <https://www.journals.ala.org/ltr/article/download/4301/4945>.
Marshall, Gary. Best cloud services compared: Google Drive vs OneDrive vs Amazon vs iCloud vs Dropbox. 16 December 2015. July 2016. <http://www.techradar.com/us/news/internet/cloud-services/best-cloud-storage-dropbox-vs-skydrive-vs-google-drive-vs-icloud-1120024>.
My opinion on the overall content of this recommendation report: very sound. Solid structure. I would give it an A if I could. The information presented, as well as the visuals, are very appealing and loaded with factual data.very easy to read and understand as well. I see sufficient detail to explain the initial problem. Each alternative was easy to understand, yet I further elaborated a bit on some pointsto make them more clear and detailed, as well as to support your arguments/propositions from within varying stances as much as possible. RECOMMENDATION REPORT CHECKLIST is covered sufficiently and accounted for.
The document, I note, is coherent with all headings and subheadings adjusted appropriately for uniformity. Bulleted points were a bit short, so I expanded and added a bit more content/ “meat” to the structure.but points were valid and relevant. Yes, paragraphs begin and divide well.
A few worded phrases and sentences were grammatically corrected and adjusted for structure and clarity. I see that lists were laid out with bullet points, and parallel. Sentences were varied and written mostly in active voice; a plus. Word choices were simple and clear to follow, as was the message, but I helped to make them just a bit more specific and engaging/intact. I noticed sentences were detailed and concise enough, for the most part. (:
There were quite a few grammar errors and words better phrased “differently”, so I adjusted accordingly here and there. Less slang as well and more professional, third person writing as needed. There were some minor grammar errors like misspelled words and misplaced commas mostly. I re-read numerous times for best accuracy and adjusted accordingly.
